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John Daley ReportingRight across the street from the offices of the Deseret Morning News is a landmark building once known as the Deseret Building. That structure was slated for demolition, but it's not anymore.
The reaction of people downtown in a completely unscientific survey was entirely positive.
When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints unveiled its billion dollar reconstruction plans for downtown the original proposal called for the First Security bank building to be demolished, but that drew a chorus of calls from ordinary citizens to save the building. Among them was former CEO of First Security, Spence Eccles.
But last night church leaders told the city council they now plan to keep it.
Kirk Huffaker, Utah Heritage Foundation: "We're ecstatic about the announcement that the LDS church made and we give them a lot of credit for listening to the public and hearing their voices."
Neil Hadlock, Salt Lake City resident: "I can see them tearing down the other buildings that I think are very mediocre. You know Salt Lake has got to save its heritage or it's not gonna look good."
Shelly Spencer, Salt Lake City resident: "I like the old buildings. You know, that's what when I come downtown, it looks like--the heritage."
Kathie Hancock, Sandy resident: "I think it's great to save the old buildings. I like them."
The First Security structure needs a major seismic upgrade, and the old was at first deemed too expensive to renovate and incompatible with the new project. But the public enthusiasm for saving the building and its classical revival architecture clearly won out.
The plans for now are unclear. An office tower was set to be built in its place. It could remain as office space, or be converted into residential units.
